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12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

A Roanoke jury has just returned with its verdict in the case of Steven
Leftwich.
(----------------)

And the jury in the O-J Simpson civil trial gets back to work in Santa
Monica.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Patrick
SS=None

It looks like the snow will NOT materialize for tomorrow, which means the
forecast has improved all the way around. I'll have details, as well as
highlight of Virginia's A-C-C win last night.
(/////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=None

Don't go away, News 7 at Noon is next.

2Leftwich

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-7
GRAPHIC=leftwich

A Roanoke jury has returned from deliberating the fate of Steven Leftwich
this morning.
Leftwich is charged with assaulting four police officers a year ago.
Double Boxes=Melanie and Eric/Microwave

but Leftwich's attorneys say he was beaten by police officers who were
playing a sadistic game.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=they tell you that
SUPER=01-Linda Cupit/Defense Attorney
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=they were hired
Live=Eric Full/Microwave
SUPER=05-Roanoke;
( ad lib)

Reed

While the jury was deliberating over the Leftwich verdict a plea agreement
was reached in a Roanoke slaying.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

18- year- old Robert Reed had been charged with murder, but ended up pleading
guilty to manslaughter.
need file here
SUPER=04-July 1996;

Back in July, 20- year- old Michael Bent was stabbed to death at the Hurt
park Apartment Complex.
SUPER=04-Today;

Reed had been the main suspect. He faces a maximum prison term of ten years
and he's scheduled to be sentenced in early May.
(-------------)

SIMPSON

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=simpson

Both sides in the O-J Simpson civil trial are now waiting for a verdict.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Santa Monica, CA;

It's the first full day of deliberations for the jury.
The panel of five men and seven women got the case yesterday after an
impassioned finale by plaintiff's attorney Daniel Petrocelli.
The jury's decision requires only nine votes, not 12.
(----------------)

FBI-lab

A Justice department review of the lab has found so many problems that the
Bureau has removed four of its top lab experts from their jobs.
One of those lab workers was a whistle blower who claims mishandling of
evidence may have tainted crime lab work on several high-profile federal cases,
including the Oklahoma City bombing and the unabomber cases.
But F-B-I Deputy Director Weldon Kennedy insists no case has been
compromised.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
4:07:43
IN Q=
((WELDON KENNEDY:TO THE CONTRARY THE FBI AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAVE TAKEN
STEPS TO ENSURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. ))
SUPER=01-Weldon Kennedy/FBI Deputy Director;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=does not happen.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

This is now the second time in three
years the bureau's crime lab has been criticized.
(----------------)

((
sot 13:36:04
((SEN. CHARLES WADDELL: TO APPROVE THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS A
DANGEROUS AND EVEN RECKLESS ACTION BY THIS BODY.))
runs=:09

That's the Democratic line.
Establishing the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing and
education of their children would mean chaos in schools, immunization programs,
libraries, counseling centers, and child abuse investigations around Virginia.
sot 13:51:48 EARL
((SEN. JANET HOWELL: WHERE IS THE CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AMENDMENT? WHERE IS THE
AMENDMENT THAT SAYS CHILDREN HAVE A RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED FROM CRUEL AND
ABUSING PARENTS?))
runs=:12

sot 13:58:25 EARL
((SEN. BILL BOLLING/R-HANOVER: WE'VE HEARD HERE TODAY THAT THE PASSAGE OF THIS
AMENDMENT WOULD UNLEASH THE PARENTS OF VIRGINIA TO COMMIT ALL TYPES OF PHYSICAL
ABUSE ON THEIR CHILDREN. ALMOST AS IF THEY'RE LYING IN WAIT.))
runs=:10

So now there's a promise from 1993's Republican candidate for lieutenant
governor .. who unveiled a poll showing the amendment --
SOT 09:49:20 TAPE ONE
((MIKE FARRIS/HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOC.: HAS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IN
VIRGINIA. AND I THINK WILL HAVE TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THE 1997 ELECTIONS IF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY DOESN'T SEE FIT TO PASS IT IN BOTH HOUSES.))
RUNS=:12
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((ELLEN QUALLS: ))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=NEWS-7 RICHMOND.
))

BABY-ARREST

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

A day long nightmare for two new parents is over and a week-old baby is back
in her mother's arms.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
4:18:53
((I'm so happy...worst 24 hrs we've experienced. ))
SUPER=01-Fabiola Ramos/Mother:
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=WE'VE EXPERIENCED.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

It all began Monday when a woman abducted the infant from a California
hospital right in front of a security camera.
Police say this 22- year- old woman took the infant after telling Fabiola
Ramos she was a hospital employee.
Investigators say after receiving a tip they located the woman and baby at
this store.
(----------------)

Jewell

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=jewell

Richard Jewell is now looking for compensation from "the Atlanta Journal
Constitution."
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Jewell filed a lawsuit against the paper yesterday for its portrayal of
him as a suspect following last Summer's Olympic Park bombing.
The paper is standing by its coverage.
Meanwhile, Jewell and his mother settled a similar complaint yesterday
against C-N-N for an undisclosed sum.
(----------------)

FLU-CURE

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=flu

Researchers have developed a new compound that could lead to a pill to cure
the flu.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The compound has cured laboratory animals of the illness within a day.
Researchers at (GIL'-ee-ad) Gilead Sciences in California say the compound
also can PREVENT the illness -- if given early enough.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((YOU COULD TAKE THIS PILL ONCE A DAY OR TWICE A DAY, AND YOU WOULD BASICALLY
BE PROTECTED FOR AS LONG AS YOU TAKE THE TREATMENT. ))
SUPER=01-Dr. Norbert Bischofberger/Gilead Sciences;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=you take the treatment.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

It can be given orally, which would make it easy for people to take.
Human trial of the drug could
come this year.
(----------------)

A lot has changed since Lynchburg first welcomed the Frito- Lay corporation
to this 100 acre patch of land last spring.
Now residing on this rolling hillside is a 400- thousand square foot
building that will house the snack food giant's newest processing facility.
So much has changed in the last nine months, Frito- Lay invited city council
members and civic leaders back for an update.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:43:43
IN Q=As you can
((BOB REVAY/FRITO- LAY: AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE FLOOR, ROOFING INSTALLATION IS
NOT YET COMPLETE, BUT WE'RE WORKING ON IT, AS MUCH AS WE CAN IN BETWEEN THE
WEATHER RIGHT NOW.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=right now.

Even as they dodged mud and water, everyone seemed impressed.
Economic development director Lee Cobb was instrumental in bringing Frito
Lay to the Hill City.. he pays a visit to the site almost every day, as if to
convince himself that the 150 million dollar project is for real.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:12:32
IN Q=We're about
((LEE COBB/LYNCHBURG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: WE'RE ABOUT TWO THIRDS ON THE WAY
TOWARDS COMPLETION, AND I THINK HOW WE'RE REALLY GOING TO START SEEING IT TAKE
SHAPE, AND THAT WILL BE EVEN MORE EXCITING, BECAUSE WE'LL KNOW THAT WE HAVE A
FACILITY THAT'S READY TO GO TO WORK.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=go to work.

So will an estimated 800 employees.
Pre-training for some of them is already underway at Central Virginia
Community College.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:15:23
IN Q=In addition to
((BELLE WHEELAN/CVCC PRESIDENT: IN ADDITION TO THE ECONOMIC BOOST THAT IT'S
GOING TO BRING TO ALL KINDS OF BUSINESSES, IT'S JUST EXCITING TO HAVE ANOTHER
NATIONALLY NAMED PRODUCT THAT'S GOING TO BE HERE.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=to be here.

Weather and contractor delays have pushed back the hiring of those employees
about six months.
The first chips should be rolling out of here by next summer.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))

E-Amtrak

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-2
GRAPHIC=Frito Lay

Frito- Lay officials also made a presentation to Lynchburg city council
during its bimonthly meeting last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape;

AND council voted unanimously to apply for federal funds to renovate the
city's old Amtrak station.
Plans call for refurbishing the building, sprucing up the grounds and making
the area more attractive to retail businesses.
Lynchburg's hoping three million dollars in transportation money will pay
for the project.
Amtrak has indicated it is willing to contribute a quarter million dollars.
It could be another year before the city knows if the money will be
available.
(----------------)

E-State-Song

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=State Song

The Senate did give its final approval to a bill that would retire the state
song.
Senators Steve Newman of Lynchburg and Louise Lucas, who represents Halifax
County, are pushing the compromise.
It would gracefully retire "Carry Me Back To Old Virginia" as the "state
song emeritus."
If the House and Governor approve, a commission would then look for a new
state song... that would presumably offend fewer Virginians.
There is, however, a competing bill in the House.
It would make a composition by singer and sausage king Jimmy Dean and his
wife Donna the new state song.

S-Flashpoint

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-109
GRAPHIC=Drugbust

Nearly a week after concluding a major drug investigation southside
authorities are continuing to round up suspects.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./Last Week;

So far, federal, state and local police have placed 109- suspects under
arrest.
The majority were taken into custody last week while authorities had a
command post set up at the former Mount Herman Elementary school, near
Danville.
At this point, authorities are still searching for more than 30- suspects.
The undercover drug investigation, dubbed "Operation Flashpoint" took more
than a year to complete.
Most of the suspects are from the Pittsylvania County area.
(----------------)

BV-Schools

The possibility of consolidation is once again facing the Rockbridge County
Board of Supervisors.
Last night they discussed a request from Buena Vista to study the possible
consolidation of their schools.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;

The supervisors said the city would have to pay the county an annual per-
student tuition.
Buena Vista would also have to share the capital cost for the current school
and for any new construction.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:30:34
IN Q=The part that
((BUTCH FLOYD/BUENA VISTA FACILITIES COMMITTEE: THE PART THAT OUR SCHOOLS PLAY
WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OF BUENA VISTA IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN CONSIDERATION. NO.
IT'S NOT AN EASY DECISION THERE ARE MANY FACETS TO THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.))
SUPER=01-Butch Floyd/Buena Vista Facilities Committee;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=this particular issue.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Buena Vista/April 18;

The county based its answers on an agreement signed by Lexington when it
consolidated with the county.
Last year a state study found the Parry McCluer School building did not meet
minimum state standards.
Buena Vista's facilities committee made a recommendation to city council and
the school board several weeks ago that entailed building a new, eight million
dollar school.
(----------------)

E-Wrestler

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-102
GRAPHIC=none

The sport of wrestling is gaining popularity.
And you may be surprised at some of the athletes who have decided to hit the
mat.
Scott Prince has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It's easy
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00
SUPER=01-Otis Timberlake/James River Wrestling Coach; :37
SUPER=01-Heather Cash/High School Wrestler; 1:00
SUPER=@Scott2; 1:13
RUNS=1:28
OUT Q=S.P., N-7, Botetourt County

((It's easy to see that Heather Cash is grappling with a lot these days...
and we're not just talking about homework.
You see she's the first girl to ever hit the mat for James River High
School... and she's doing it to prove a point.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:57:40
IN Q=I just
((HEATHER CASH/WRESTLER: I JUST WANTED TO SHOW EVERYBODY THAT A GIRL CAN
WRESTLE. ))
RUNS=:03
OUT Q=can wrestle

Heather has definitely made the cut.
In fact she's the STARTER in the 125 pound weight class.
(/////SOT/////)
NAT SOT 16:19:37
IN Q=Back to your
((BACK TO YOUR BASE HEATHER. BACK TO YOUR BASE. HIPS UP. C'MON UP. GRAB THE
WRIST.))
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=the wrist

At first, Coach Otis Timberlake wasn't thrilled with the idea of having a
girl on the team.
But now that she's proven that she belongs... the coach has reversed his way
of thinking.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:28:58
IN Q=I've got
((OTIS TIMBERLAKE/WRESTLING COACH: I'VE GOT A LITTLE MORE ADMIRATION FOR HER
FOR COMING OUT AND GIVING IT A TRY-- ESPECIALLY, SHE'S A SENIOR BY DOING THAT--
THAN I HAVE FOR THE FORTY OR FIFTY GUYS WE'VE GOT WALKING THE HALLS AROUND HERE
THAT WON'T GIVE IT A TRY. ))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=it a try

According to the Virginia High School League, about a DOZEN girls are
wrestling in the Commonwealth this year.
Heather says she'd like to see that number rise... and she's offering up
some advice.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:01:52
IN Q=I hope
((HEATHER CASH: I'D LOVE TO SEE A LOT MORE GIRLS... BECAUSE GIRLS CAN DO IT.
THEY JUST HAVE TO SET THEIR MIND TO IT, WORK OUT A LOT AND BE AGRESSIVE. ))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=aggressive

At this point she has more losses than wins.
But Heather says its not because she's a girl.
She attributes her record to a lack of wrestling experience.
And even though she's having some problems taking down the competition...
she's scoring big points when it comes to taking down the gender barriers of
high school athletics.
Scott Prince, News- 7, Botetourt County.))
WEATHER
SUPER=300-36/32/SW 3mph/30.51f/75/1975/ 4/1977;
SUPER=301-40/34/NE 7mph/30.52f/75/1975/ 5/1940;
Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Increasing/Clouds/22-26/Mostly Cloudy/& Chilly/34-38;
SUPER=331-Increasing/Clouds/22-26/Cloudy/Flurries Possible/32-36;
SUPER=332-Becoming/Cloudy/20-24/Partly/Cloudy/34-38;
SUPER=333-Increasing/Clouds/18-22/Mostly Cloudy/& Chilly/32-36;
SUPER=334-Mostly/Cloudy/20-24/Partly/Cloudy/34-38;
SUPER=X5001;

UVa

The Virginia Cavaliers took the win from N.C. State at home last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Charlottesville/N.C. State vs. Virginia; :00

Neither team shot well in the first half of this game, but Curtis Staples was
able to knock down this three pointer to cut the State lead to 9-to-8.
Staples would later shoot U-V-a into the lead in the first 10 minutes of the
half with this 2 pointer.
Jamal Robinson gets the three point play. U-V-A lead 13-to-9 with six to go.
State's Justin Gainey would break an 11 minute drought for the pack with this
Hoop.
SUPER=33-N.C. State/50/Virginia/56;

The Pack led by as many as five in the second half, but Staples would not be
denied scoring a game high 27 as U-V-a wins it 56-to-50.
(-------------)

Jerry Goolsby lit up the sky with three straight three pointers in the first
ten minutes.
Ace Custis would nail this three pointer late in the first half, but the
Hokies still trailed 30-to-17 at halftime.
Tim Duncan leads the break for the give and go SUPER=33-Virginia
Tech/44/Wake Forest #2/61;
and gets the assist to Jerry Braswell, as the Demon Deacons pound the Hokies
61-to-44.
(-------------)

Hendrick

It's been an up and down couple of months for NASCAR's Rick Hendrick.
And yesterday the ride hit another bump in the road when it was learned that
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Concord, NC/January 9; :00

the multi-millionaire Charlotte-based businessman is suffering from a
life-threatening form of Leukemia.
His condition was revealed in a court document at his money laundering trial
in Asheville, North Carolina.
Hendrick's attorneys are asking the trial be moved to Charlotte where he is
undergoing treatment for the disease.
(-------------)

Desmond

N-F-L commissioner Paul Tagliabue has temporarily barred Bill Parcells from
negotiating with any other N-F-L team until he rules on his committment to the
Patriots.
Parcells says he is free to move on, while the Pats says they have his
employment rights in 19-97.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Orlando, FL; :00

The man who beat Parcells' Patriots on Sunday made it to Disney World
yesterday.
Desmond Howard the Super Bowl M-V-P was honored with a parade on Main Street,
and the ultimate thrill of anyone's life.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="This is..
((DESMOND HOWARD/SUPER BOWL MVP:))
SUPER=01-Desmond Howard/Super Bowl MVP; :00
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=...MICKEY HA HA!!
(-------------)

Hillary-Carnegie

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

In New York City, some 700 people were on hand last night to dedicate
Carnegie Hall to violinist Issac Stern. (----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New York, NY;
7:02:31
The first lady was just one of many who spoke of Stern's efforts to save the
concert hall from the wrecking ball.
President Clinton sent a video message praising Stern.
In 19-60 Stern won a battle to save the building which was slated to be
torn down and replaced with a skyscraper.
Stern has played some 175 concerts in Carnegie Hall.
(----------------)